Norwegian has announced Benjamin Franklin as its first American tailfin hero.
The inventor and statesman, who was often called the “first American” because of his tireless campaigning to unify the colonies, will adorn the airline’s newest Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
The new American hero will serve the new transatlantic routes from Edinburgh, Belfast, Cork, Shannon and Dublin to the US East Coast.
Since its founding, Norwegian has always honoured iconic, historical figures on the tails of its aircraft. Each person who is featured on a tailfin embodies Norwegian’s spirit of pushing boundaries, inspiring others and challenging the status quo.
Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts and relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in his late teens where he later started a successful printing business.
Additionally, Franklin was an inventor, statesman and a leading figure in American history. Franklin is best known as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and authors of the Declaration of Independence.
“We are proud to decorate our newest Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with Benjamin Franklin. Not only is he an American icon, but he was also a truly fresh air thinker and a pioneer for so many reasons,” said Thomas Ramdahl, Norwegian’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Norwegian has always been inspired by brave people who defy convention – and that is Mr. Franklin. It is an honour to recognise an American founder on one of our aircraft, and this gesture also symbolises all of the great things we have planned for Norwegian in the United States.”
Franklin was also witty and pointed writer, leaving behind a wealth of wise words.
Here are a few of my favourites:
- He that is of the opinion money will do everything, may well be suspected of doing everything for money.
- Your net worth to the world is what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.
- Any fool can criticise, condemn and complain — and most fools do.
- We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.
- Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn.
- Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning.
- Some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until 75.
- Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom — and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech.
- Those who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
There are volumes more one can enjoy reading here:
http://franklinpapers.org/franklin//
http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/franklin-the-works-of-benjamin-franklin-in–12-vols
The new aircraft featuring Benjamin Franklin is Norwegian’s fourth Boeing 737 MAX aircraft this year. In total, Norwegian will take delivery of two additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from the 110 it has on order.
To commemorate Norwegian’s expansion in the United States, the airline will introduce a series of American icons over the next few months.
Looking forward to learning who will be next!
(cough Samuel Clemens cough)
